Loves baths, his brothers, the cat, eating, crawling (yes he is actually crawling now and starting to pull himself up onto things!) and his mama.

Dislikes diaper changes, clothing changes, not being held by his mama, toys being stolen from him, and his brothers leaving him behind.

Christian

He still likes to be spoon fed, but is doing awesome with table food. Usually only get 1 bottle in him a day.

Starting to do better with a sippy cup.

Sleeps about the same as his brother, only usually one nap is much shorter than the other one.

He is cruising all over and standing on his own a lot but no steps yet!

He loves his brothers, getting into mischief, chasing people, laughing and snuggling.

Dislikes diaper changes, clothing changes, getting in the car seat, being put down for sleep and the vacuum.

They are so adorable together. They usually follow each other around, not straying too far from one another. The will go wherever Jack goes.They've started jabbering a lot back and forth and making each other laugh...it's too cute for words.

They play the "pacifier switch" game. One will take the other's out and put it in his mouth, or just run away with it. And they will do this back and forth for a long time.

They fight over toys and throw tantrums

They don't like it if you are holding both of them, they want to be the "only one". So hilarious at 10 months.

They are doing fabulous.

And yes I am pinning away on Pinterest their birthday ideas! I am getting excited!See, I'm not a real baby person...but I love from this age on!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

If you know me, or have followed this blog for awhile you know we have a healthy obsession of Disneyland.

This trip has been in the works for years. It was actually my parent's 30th Anniversary present, they wanted to take the entire family as their celebration. And also, my Dad retired at the ripe age of 55 the same summer, so this was a HUGE celebration!

So, after years of planning and saving, my Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother-in-Law to be, Hubby, Kids and our close friends Curt and Lynette all went!

We flew a direct flight (2 hours) to LAX at 6:00am in the morning, and the kids did perfect. The babies fell asleep and Jack just sat with "Nama" and looked out the window and snacked.

No crying, no tantrums, nothing. Perfect.

We hopped﻿ onto a Super Shuttle which dropped us off at the only hotel located IN the park.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Day Spa

We checked in, left our bags and headed right into the park for our first full day! We were in the park before 11:00am!!

The next 5 days consisted of amazing, beautiful, fun, exhausting excitement.

We went all day long, only going back to the hotel on a few days for a nap. Otherwise, the babies napped in the stroller and Jack did just so great. Most days he got his nap, but two of them we skipped and he was fantastic.

Everyone seriously was so great and amazing, I don't think it could have gone any better.

The fact that we outnumbered the kids 8 adults to 3...was brilliant.

People helped us with them so we could ride together, or took them on rides, or took Jack. It was so wonderful.

Jack was tall enough for almost every ride (something we actually prayed about haha)He went on Matterhorn, but then never wanted to go in a tunnel ride after that. Oh well, he wasn't forced. But guess what ride he talks about ALL THE TIME now? Yep...he's so proud of himself.

He was also really really into the maps. By the end of the trip he knew which ride was where and on what park's map.He also felt the need to tell each character he met, where something was on the map. So we have several pictures of him pointing to things on the map with characters. It's adorable.

Like..."Brer Fox, this is where Monstro the Whale is..."

So darn cute.

We got to stay in the park until 4:00pm on the day we left, headed back to LAX and although we almost didn't make it home that night due to fog, we eventually did (after a very rough takeoff where I was in tears....really really extreme turbulence)

But again, the boys were perfect with all 3 falling asleep.

It was sad to come home, but at the same time exciting because my sister was getting married that next Friday!!

Some of you may be wondering how my Mom did. At the point of our trip she was just over halfway through chemo and had started a new drug. It had really taken it's tole on her.But she did amazing.She walked the first half of every day, using the wheelchair for the second half and made sure to take a nap/rest each day.I've never seen a more incredible person than my Mom.Never not smiling, pure joy.She was just incredible.

Enjoy some of the pictures from our trip.

And if you have any questions about traveling with kiddos, or Disneyland in general. Ask away....we probably can help ya out :)

Monday, November 14, 2011

there are days where it's takes and takes and does not leave much of me left.

This past week was one of those weeks.

I feel like Jack is growing and changing so fast, and doing so much and I am trying so hard to figure him out and to learn what makes him tick, what works best for him discipline wise, what he needs most from me.

And I have really been struggling with the fact that I don't have time to just study him, like I used to.

It was him and I, every waking moment and now most of my moments are taken up with his baby brothers.

It's not their fault, they are babies, and there are two of them.

It just really doesn't leave me much time with just Jack.

He's been 3.

He's been pushing, and testing and trying to figure out boundaries, and see where we draw the line.

And I feel like I just don't have the time to devote to him like I used to, like I want to.

I feel like some days he's in timeout or I'm struggling to not raise my voice the whole day.

At the end of the day I look back and think

"Did I do it right?""Did I get through to him?"

Not every approach works with every kid, and I am trying to find out what works with Jack.

As a Christian, knowing that what's going on in his heart is much more important than what we see on the outside.

The responsibility to raise children in the Lord is huge, and it weighs heavy on my heart.

Side note:

I was looking for some good books that I could read through that were helpful tools in the area of raising kids in the Lord, and just some snippets for resources.

I had heard about a book (I have no clue from who) and the name sounded really familiar, and the title sounded great.

I have to tell you, I was appalled. I wish I could get my money back.

So, even in the "Christian child raising book section" there are really really awful books.

I'm not going to say which one it is...just in case ;)

But, then I found a really awesome one, so that made me happy

Anyways, I saw this quote on Pinterest and it sums it right up.

That being said, I'm gonna be taking a blogging break until after our vacation

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

There was I time when I thought the days would drag on forever, and here I am writing their

"9 month post"

It's incredible and amazing.

Let's hop to it!

Camden

Mr. Bear

Not feeling the camera :)

This kid wakes up happy 100% of the time. Always a smile to greet you.

He has two adorable teeth on the bottom and is finally starting to try and move!!He will pull himself, ever so slowly, along the floor like an army guy in the trenches. He doesn't go far because he gets so dang frustrated, but he is trying.

He will get up on his knees and rock a bit, but his arms aren't super strong yet so it's mostly his bottom half.

He doesn't like feeling left out, seeing Jack and Christian roaming all around the house and gets sad, but I think before too long he will be joining them.

He's so funny, he still topples over sometimes when sitting so we have to make sure there are no dangerous things around to bonk his head on haha.

He will eat puffs and cheerios, but because of his reflux issues, he still likes things quite blended up.

Jack was the same way and I thought I'd forever be blending his food...and we just kept at it and by 12 months he was on full finger table food! So we will keep trying :)

He loves to spit, do raspberries, clap his hands, watch Jack, eat, sleep and he is without a doubt, a mama's boy.

He is happiest in my arms and if I'm in the room and not with him, he let's me know he is not pleased.

His eyes are staying super blue, and his hair is sooo blonde.

He used to look a lot like Jack's baby pictures.

But he doesn't anymore.

We aren't quite sure who he looks like, but he's the cutest.

He's in 6-9 month clothes and we need to go buy some 12 month footie pj's!!

Camden Stats:

Weight: 16lbs 13.4oz!He went from the 5% to almost the 10% in 3 months.So funny, because he feels so huge to us, especially compared to Christian, and yet...he's still small compared to the "average".I look at him and remember him as this 4lb 14oz little man and am so happy to see his rolls :)

Height: 27.8 inches!!!He went from the 5% to the 25% in 3 months! She actually had them remeasure to make sure because it was such a huge jump!

Christian

Mr. String Bean Long and Lean

This kid goes all day long. He wakes up screaming and ready to hit the floor running!

He doesn't stop moving.

He has no fear and he is persistent.

He's cruising along furniture, digging into everything he can find and if he sees you are coming to get him, he crawls faster away from you.

He and Jack totally play together.

In fact, you can often hear Jack calling for him

"Christian, I'm over here. Come over here and see me!"

"I'm having a party Christian!"

Jack loves to make him laugh and they totally play on the ground in "semi-wrestle" mode (parent supervised of course) and tickle and squirm and are just silly.

Makes this mama happy.

He likes to hold his own bottle and he still loves solids best.

He's doing finger foods, and does really well with chunks of bananas, peas etc.

He'll be easy to transition.

Trying to give them sippy cups at meal times, but they just want to chew on them :)

He is STILL in 3-6 month clothes....and fits perfectly in Carter's 6 months for shirts. But he's long...so the pants are short! What a conundrum haha!

He eats just as much as Camden, if not more and he is doing so well in all other aspects of development that his skinny self is not a concern.

Plus, I looked in my baby book and I weighed the exact same at his age :)

Christian Stats:

Weight: 14lbs 12ozHe is still not on the growth chart, but each month he is closer and closer!

Height: 27 1/4 inches!!!

He went from the 5th% to a little below the 25%! Long and lean :)And she noted he has long feet!

Our days go like this:

6:00-7:00am Wake Up

6:30ish Bottle (6oz)

Play Time

8:00 Oatmeal with 3oz mixed in

Get Dressed

Play

9:00 Nap

Christian will sleep anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half

Camden will sleep at least an hour, and sometimes I wake him at 10:45 to go get Jack on school days

Play/Diaper Change/Get Jack

11:00-11:30 Bottle (4-6oz)

12:30- Lunch (either fruit or veggie and protein)

1:00 Nap time for ALL boys!!!

Again, they will sleep about the same

Play time/run errands/playdates

3:30-4:30 Bottle (5-6oz)

5:15 Dinner or Bath depending on if it's bath night

5:30 PJ's

6:00 Bedtime

The boys made the early bedtime and I'm working on getting them closer to 7:00pm little by little so we can start going to Saturday night church again :)

SO.....that's the scoop!We have family pictures on Friday and we are just 19 days away from our dream trip to Disneyland!

These are exciting and amazing times in our family and we feel so very blessed!!

Sorry for the lack of pictures....after borrowing and using my friend's DSLR Camera, I find myself hardly taking any with our point and shoot. Trev was right....I got a taste of the glory and now I can't go back. Will try to snap some this week.

I'm reminded again today, how precious life is. How important it is to spend time with those you love and that really, nothing else matters.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Tis my favorite month of the year!And this year is more special than most!

Why may you ask?

Wait, before that....Halloween cuteness:

Captain America and my lil Firefighter

Christian, Camden

Okay, back to why this month is so awesome.

It started yesterday with Jack's first field trip and to the Pumpkin Patch no less!Thanks to my parents for watching the little men, Trev and I both got to go.

It was so dang cold, Jack was in tears by the end of it...his hands were like ice. And the farmer's were great and you can tell they get a ton of school field trips out there. But these kids are 3 years old....you have to move quick, keep it interesting and don't talk about the Civil War for 3 minutes or stop the totally cool hayride, to get off and show how an old washing machine works which takes approx 2.5 minutes and you've already lost their attention span. Just fyi

But...I did snag some cute pics

First bus ride.Totally not impressed with me snapping pictures already.....

Corn maze

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Hayride. Cold....antsy to get moving.

﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

He first found a small (very small) green smushy pumpkin....I made him put that back

Trying to get a "class picture" yeah...that was funny.

Then, Tuesday night, my soon (soon as in 37 days away) to be brother-in-law's Birthday! And my sister did a "Milk and Cookies" theme, it was so fun.

This weekend have our Annual Church Christmas Bazaar

Its one of the top bazaar's in the valley, it's amazing!Usually my Mom and her best friend run the bake sale and I work with them. But with my Mom's health this year, they stepped back from that and are just manning their booth of knitted goods as vendors, so I will help with that!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

I don't have a huge blogroll, I just don't have to time to pour over dozens and dozens of blogs. I could, but I probably wouldn't remember who's was who's and comment and all that. But I really do love reading them, they come in all shapes and sizes. Meeting different needs and interests and it's just fascinating.

I wanted to highlight a couple blogs for ya and have you check them out (when you have time!)

This girl is blogging from Haiti. She's there teaching missionary kids and serving along side them. Her posts are beautiful and leave you wanting for more.

This Mamaof 6 is like the homeschooling guru if I ever saw one. She's honest, and inspiring. And she documents herself getting into shape, she's amazing!

This Mama writes beautifully, has awesome pictures and shares a lot about her youngest son and his struggle with Celiac disease. You will always be encouraged and challenged after you read her stuff. Her daughter also has a great blog, and does blog design as well!

She is a worship pastor's wife (yay!) has two adorable children and is so honest, and real and seriously...I love every one of her posts!!

This blog is a newer one for me, she has an incredible story that inspired an incredible ministry....go check it out!

There are dozens more I love, go click on the tab "Blogs I Follow" to see few more!